Leading soft drinks business, Britvic, is announcing a further £13 million investment into a fifth canning line at its Rugby factory.

Based on the Glebe Farm Industrial Estate, the investment is expected to create up to 20 new jobs across engineering and manufacturing, as well as providing Britvic’s apprentices with an opportunity to take up full-time positions in the business.

The announcement is part of c.£40 million worth of investment into the factory over the past two years and takes the site into the top five largest soft drinks manufacturing sites in Europe.

Paul Graham, Britvic Managing Director in Great Britain, commented: “This investment is another example of our commitment to our people, product and planet goals.

“Developing our state-of-the-art supply chain means that we can increase the production capacity of peoples’ favourite brands, create more jobs and improve efficiency helping to reduce waste. We look forward to seeing the new canning line in action!”

These investments follow Britvic’s broader c.£250m business continuity plan investment in its British supply chain, which was completed in November 2019 and reflects the Group’s ongoing commitment to the continuous improvement of its operations.

The new set-up will see capacity increase by 14 %, producing 80,000 recyclable 330 ml cans per hour of some of the UK’s favourite brands including Tango and Pepsi MAX. The first cans are expected to hit shelves in the next few weeks.

The announcement follows the £27 million canning line investment in the factory in 2021 and £19 million to upgrade Britvic’s national distribution centre last year.

The multimillion-pound investment in Britvic’s Rugby factory comes as the company celebrates 35 years in the town

Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has paid a visit to Britvic’s largest production site to officially open the soft drink manufacturer’s most recent canning line.

The state-of-the-art line, already producing internationally known brands including Tango, Pepsi and 7UP, saw Britvic invest a further £26.9 million in the Rugby factory and create 20 new jobs. This brings the total number of employees at the site to over 340.

Based on Glebe Farm Industrial Estate, the factory boasts some of the fastest lines in Europe, with the new canning line turning out around 120,000 cans per hour. Bringing the site’s total to four canning lines, the most recent line boosts total capacity by around 20 %. This takes total production to an impressive rate of just under half a million cans per hour.

Speaking after the visit, Mark said: “It was a great pleasure to be able to open Britvic’s new canning line and see for myself the additional investment by Britvic in their Rugby site. This is great news for our local economy and has created a number of new jobs, including opportunities for apprentices from the local area. Britvic has a 35 year history of manufacturing in Rugby and the fourth canning line shows that the company remains committed to their site and their employees here.”

Mark continued: “We were also able to discuss the need to ensure that packaging remains sustainable and Britvic’s arrangement with Ardagh Group is a great example of minimising the carbon footprint. It is also vital that the sector continues to recycle as much as they can and the work which is ongoing at Britvic both for plastic and aluminium recycling is extremely positive.”

Nigel Paine, Supply Chain Director, added: “Britvic knows that a strong supply chain is fundamental to its continued success. Having created a modern supply chain for the long-term with our Business Capability Programme, we’re now supercharging it with further investment.

“Consumers love the convenience and sustainability credentials of our cans and, with the increased capacity this new line brings, we’ll be able to put even more of them in their hands this summer and in summers to come.”

Aluminium cans are 100 % recyclable and on average contain 74 % recycled material. Many of the cans used by Britvic also benefit from a considerably reduced carbon footprint due to their arrangement with metal packaging manufacturer Ardagh Group’s neighbouring factory, who send cans to Britvic through a tunnel linking the two factories.

This summer, leading branded soft drinks business Britvic is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its Rugby factory, thanking colleagues for their dedicated service and showcasing the investment and innovation that has become synonymous with the company’s flagship facility.

Based on Glebe Farm Industrial Estate, the site has seen over £125 million of investment since 2018, with the factory most recently benefitting from a £27 million investment in a new state-of-the-art canning line in September 2021.

This is Rugby’s fourth canning line, growing the site’s total capacity by around 20% and creating 20 new jobs at the facility.

Boasting some of the fastest lines in Europe, the site’s new canning line operates at a rate of around 120,000 cans per hour, taking the factory’s total production to an impressive rate of just under half a million cans per hour.

Rugby MP Mark Pawsey said: “Britvic’s 35 years in Rugby represent a great success both for the company and for our town’s local economy.

“Over those years, their flagship factory has grown and created hundreds of jobs, including a vibrant apprenticeships programme which has given many young people a first taste of work.

“I was delighted to see the further investment in their fourth canning line which demonstrates their commitment to the Rugby site for many years to come.”

The investment provided Britvic with the additional capacity to drive agility and exemplary customer service, as well as boost production of some of the country’s most loved brands, including Tango, 7UP and Pepsi MAX.

Importantly, investment has seen the work force increase at the site, helping to bring the total number of employees to more than 340 and reinforcing Britvic’s commitment to the local community.

These roles span numerous disciplines, from engineering to manufacturing, with apprenticeships also a key component of the additional rise in employee numbers.
Paramjeet Pahdi, Director of Operations at Rugby, said: “As we celebrate 35 years of our Rugby site, I’m proud to look back at the journey we’ve been on together to make this facility the beacon of success it is today.

“I would like to thank all our colleagues for their contribution over the decades, without their hard work and dedication I have no doubt that we would not be here celebrating such a milestone.

“Looking to the future, Britvic is focused on ensuring that Rugby continues its success story as we develop the site with further investment, securing our future for generations to come.”

Over the past 35 years, Rugby has become well known for showcasing some of the fastest and best manufacturing technology in Europe.

The Rugby factory has also played a key role in Britvic’s sustainability efforts.
Continuous improvements have seen the factory cut the amount of water it uses – most recently by using the cooling water from its combined heat and powerplant as a source of hot water for the site – helping Britvic work towards its net zero carbon emissions target.

Celebrations for the 35 year anniversary began in May with a family fun day attracting more than 500 people to the site.

Employees and their families enjoyed the day with a resident DJ, fairground rides, a penalty shoot out, mini golf and a Britvic bar.

As part of its commitment to the continuous improvement of its supply chain, Britvic is proud to announce a £26.9 million investment into the future of its factory in Rugby (UK), Britvic’s largest production site. The investment will see the installation of a fourth canning line, growing the site’s total capacity by a further 18 %. As a result, Britvic expects to create at least 20 new jobs at the facility.

The efficient new set-up will produce recyclable 330 ml cans for Britvic’s portfolio of leading brands including Tango, Pepsi and 7UP. The first cans are expected to be produced this November, with the new line fully up and running in 2022.

The new jobs will be predominantly in engineering and manufacturing, helping to build upon Britvic’s role as a leading employer within the community. Apprentices will also play a vital role during the expansion, filling some of the engineering roles and assisting with improvement projects as production commences.

Today’s news is further evidence of Britvic’s continued investment in its supply chain and follows the completion of the transformative £250m Business Capability Programme, improving facilities for the benefit of colleagues and customers.